Every Saturday at noon, Historicist looks back at the events, places, and characters—good and bad—that have shaped Toronto into the city we know today. Unidentified Ontario Jockey Club horserace, before 1980. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1057, Item 896. In its early years, the Queen’s Plate was a rather raucous and unpredictable annual event. Because [...]

Photo by Andrew Z. There are few emotional highs like watching your horse galloping down the homestretch to win by a nose in a blur of colour and kicked-up dirt. Even losing money when your wing-and-a-prayer long shot leads the race only to falter badly in the final turn isn’t so disappointing when you consider [...]